Muhammadu Buhari: The situation in Libya, of people being sold into slavery, is appalling and unacceptable,

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the selling of black Africans into slavery in Libya, describing the situation as “appalling and unacceptable.”

Nigerian migrants stranded in Libya and elsewhere will be bought home, President Muhammadu Buhari has said. The decision comes after the emergence of footage showing migrants being sold at slave auctions in Libya.

The situation in Libya, of people being sold into slavery, is appalling and unacceptable,” Buhari said on Twitter on Wednesday. “We will do everything to protect our citizens wherever they might be.”

Mr Buhari said they were being treated like goats, and vowed to do everything possible to prevent more Nigerians making the perilous journey to Europe.

Mr Buhari promised those who returned would be “rehabilitated”, and vowed to tackle corruption, defeat groups like Islamist militants Boko Haram and improve things like education to stop Nigerians leaving in the first place.

“For people to cross the Sahara desert and Mediterranean through shanty boats… we will try and keep them at home,” he said.

We have also started bringing back home all Nigerians stranded in Libya and elsewhere. We will ensure they all return home safely and are rehabilitated,” added Buhari.

The plight of those trapped in Libya – a major hub for migrants attempting to reach Europe – was highlighted by the footage, published by US news network CNN, which shows young men being auctioned for farm work.